The Apple Tablet: OS, Design, Partners, Rumors, Etc.

***UPDATE:*** Apple introduces iPad device - follow the live blog at Mashable at that link.

The worst-kept secret in technology these days is the expected launch of the Apple Tablet, which is to happen Wednesday, January 27th, at 1 p.m. Eastern time. (There is to be live video of the Apple Tablet announcement here, but the server seems to be constantly busy. You can follow a number of live blogs of the event, including Apple Insider [below] and Mashable). 

Steve Jobs will come down from the mountaintop (metaphorically speaking) in Cupertino and have the assembled media masses ooh-ing and ah-ing with the latest shiny gadget from Apple. So what do we really know, and where does that evidence point?  

Though it's a brand-new high-tech device, the Apple Tablet is lifting the hopes of a lot of old-media businesses, says an article in yesterday's L.A. Times. A team from the New York Times has been out in Cupertino working with Apple to work on a large-screen version of the iPhone's application for the paper, and "Condé Nast Publications, publisher of 18 magazines, and HarperCollins Publishers have been approached about developing content for Apple's tablet, according to the Wall Street Journal." 

Speaking of publishers, Apple Insider says that the CEO of McGraw-Hill revealed details on some specific aspects of the Apple Tablet, noting that "the device will run the iPhone mobile operating system" (video above). They also have an article talking about what they think is the Apple Tablet design. And the New York Times notes that the Apple Tablet may give traditional publishers not only a new outlet for their products, but a new way to make money from it.

In addition, Apple Insider has set up a Web site where you can watch the Apple Tablet event live on Wednesday.
And if you're tired of the hype around the Apple Tablet or just want to have fun, the New York Times has posted an Apple Tablet game where you can guess the features and attributes of the latest creation from Steve Jobs & Co.